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Rob's Rapid River

Alright everyone, starting my first journal here. I've posted in a few places concerning a river tank with manifold system and I'm about ready to start her up.

First thing I have to do is build the stand. I should be getting the lumber either today or tomorrow.

This will be in a 40 gallon breeder and I'll be running two Aquaclear 50s in the system. I'm going to try and do something different with the manifold system. Everything I've read indicates that most people who build this type of system add an additional filter to increase filtration and bio media since most manifold systems rely on just two or more sponge filters. I don't want to do this. So I've come up with a design I'm going to post when I get the chance. Basically the intake area will not have the typical sponges around the intake pipes. I'm going to lay the pipes on the bottom and cover with a layer of bio media, and two filter pads and put a barrier between this and the rest of the substrate to keep the sand out. It'll make more sense once you see my plans. If you think you can shoot holes in my idea, please do, I want to do this correct the first time. I will do a little RnD before getting it fish ready.

Now onto fish.

Going to go with traditional hillstream loaches, though not sure what kinds. Depends on what this new LFS can get me.

I posted in fish compatibility on what kind of upper level fish would work and there were quite a lot of suggestions. This was tough because I was hoping to break the norm and stay away from White Clouds. I like them, I just wanted to do something different. My difficulty is getting a fish that liked a fast current and temperate water. I think I'm going to shoot for 70 degrees so not entirely a cold tank. Rainbows, congo tetras, rasboras ssp, denison barbs, odessa barbs, ruby barbs were suggested. Just to name a few. Right now I'm eyeing the Scissortail Rasboras. Thoughts? Suggestions?

No suggestions for you but I'll be watching this journal too - I've always liked hillstreams but didn't keep them due to the tank setup they'd be most happy with...it will be great to see a tank built around them.

I have considered the rubber lip as I rather like that pleco. I might very well add him to the list as I'm not terribly concerned with keeping this in Asia, so to speak. Do you think there would be any aggression from the rubber lip? I know plecos can get that way with each other and since the hillstream loaches look very much like plecos maybe he'd go after them? There will be plenty of hiding spots and caves and what not. I should be able to produce enough algae for bot types of fish to at least be fed properly.

Haha, oh yeah. It'll be in a sun room so I'm not worried about low algae levels. I get the best of both worlds. Lots of algae growth, but the room is north facing so it isn't going to heat up as much. I've done some test and it stays cool enough.